RFS, International Towers Team Up for Repack

Tower systems, cable and antenna manufacturer Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is partnering with licensed general contractor International Towers Incorporated (ITI) to offer turn-key equipment and installation solutions for broadcast owners preparing for the repacking of television channels. The companies say the arrangement will enable broadcasters to buy infrastructure products and installation services from a single supplier and guarantees that services will be available in conjunction with product delivery.

For more than 40 years, RFS has manufactured multi-channel broadband antennas and sees itself as a specialist in the design and manufacture of multi-channel antenna and transmission systems. The company has made investments to support broadcasters as they prepare for the spectrum repack. RFS offers broadcast products that are frequency agile, polarization agile and future proof, including its SBB series of wideband slot antennas and PEP Lite antennas, which provide low wind-load and allow operation on any channel within the full UHF band. RFS’ new RFStar™ UHF Slotted Array Antennas provide a simple option for single or dual channel fixed polarization applications, according to the manufacturer.

“ITI’s resources and expertise in the broadcast sector makes them an ideal partner to provide installation services for RFS’ equipment, allowing both companies to quickly and efficiently meet the needs of broadcasters as they prepare for the spectrum repack while taking the onus off of the customer to coordinate with multiple vendors,” said RFS Director of Broadcast Sales Scott Martin.

With regional offices across the U.S. and experienced tall-tower crews, ITI is immediately available to support repack transition efforts. The company provides design, manufacturing, and erection of new broadcast structures and modification of existing broadcast structures, including antenna and line repair and replacement, as well as transmitter and combiner, diplexer and in-house component installation and tuning. It has also completed the re-tooling process by fabricating gin-poles, obtaining rigging equipment, hoists, and other necessary equipment to support U.S. broadcast installation needs.

“We are pleased to enter into a relationship with RFS, which has provided equipment for some of the most high profile broadcast installations to date, like the World Trade Center,” said ITI President Doug Gratzer. “Together, we will be able to better ensure that deployments run smoothly and on schedule.” Both RFS and ITI will have booths in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at NAB 2017 next week. RFS is in booth C2022 and ITI is in booth C1047.